FWIW I've also just added to my new website a short reflection on why us human editors are superior to AI.

If you or anyone you know is in need of editorial assistance, please get in touch.

So generous of you, Judith. Thank you x

FWIW I've also just added to my new website a short reflection on why us human editors are superior to AI.

If you or anyone you know is in need of editorial assistance, please get in touch.

Totally. One way to disabuse them might be to invite them spend a week (or ideally a year!) with you (or anyone working in a university other than anyone in the managerial class), observing what life is actually like...

a drawing in pencil of various noses, some with bushy moustaches underneath them

A drawing in pencil of various human noses – drawn around 1831 by a teenaged Charlotte Brontë, who was born on this day (21 April) in West Yorkshire in 1816 🗃️

Grovelling thanks for sharing this post and spreading the word far and wide about my professional editorial and manuscript services 🙏

Screenshot of black text on white background

Well this is very gratifying – a generous review of 'Dangers of Youth' has just appeared in the latest issue of the Journal of the History of Education. Thank you to the reviewer for engaging seriously with my book @mcgillqueensup.bsky.social

Thank you Hannah! 🙏

Briony Neilson Briony Neilson Editorial and Manuscript Services – assisting writers and academic researchers through all stages of the writing and publishing process

I've been working as a freelance professional academic editor for over 15 years and have finally got around to creating a website. If you're an academic writer seeking experienced editorial help on a writing project (e.g. book, chapter, journal article), get in touch! And please spread the word ✏️📖

Unlike in 18th-century France, guillotine operator positions in Australia are not inherited 🙃🗃️

photo of a painting of a figure in a blue jacket standing in a wintry landscape

'Blotter' (painting in oil on canvas, National Museums Liverpool) – painted in 1993 by Peter Doig, who was born on this day (17 April) in Edinburgh in 1959.

Barriers to Truth and Justice in Settler-Colonial Australia This collection brings together experts from Australia and beyond to examine the persistent settler-colonial patterns of denial, ignorance and antipathy.

Last year I went to a great symposium where we talked about the failure of the Voice referendum here in Australia. Some of us at the conference put together our thoughts in this volume, edited by Dan Tout, Emma-Jaye Gavin and Julia Hurst. Great to see it out! link.springer.com/book/10.1007...

NSW’s highest court strikes down anti-protest law introduced in wake of Bondi beach terror attack Court finds law – which effectively meant protesters could not march without risk of arrest – is unconstitutional

Democracy lives to fight another day: "New South Wales’ highest court has struck down an anti-protest law brought in after the Bondi beach terror attack which gave police the power to restrict marches..."

The more exclamation points you put after 'Thank you', the more likable you are. Scientific fact.

Photo of sky streaked with pink clouds over water

Sydney does a good sunset

The more exclamation points you put after 'Thank you', the more likable you are. Scientific fact.

Thank you for the pick-up. Apologies, world, for the clumsy typo - of course that post should read 1452

a drawing in red chalk on pale-coloured paper of a collection of trees

This beautifully delicate drawing of a copse of trees in red chalk on paper created around the year 1500 by Leonardo da Vinci – born on this day (15 April) in Tuscany in 1542 (Royal Collection)🗃️

Ah yes the good old classic longue durée lighter – as used at every Annales School barbeque 🙃 🗃️

Ah yes the good old classic longue durée lighter – as used at every Annales School barbeque 🙃 🗃️

B&w photo of an old man in glasses looking straight at the viewer and holding up works of origami to the camera

Akira Yoshizawa, grandmaster of origami, posing with various of his paper-folded masterpieces, including one of his own face. What a genius.

Yep. That one really doesn't travel well.

I always think French speakers must be amused/shocked by the vulgarity of the Melbourne brand Nique (apparently the brand's style is inspired by Japanese architecture and Scandinavian design, presumably the designers were oblivious to the "nique la police" etc connotation).

Also Welsh

I've been noticing that shift for a while, too! I'd assumed it was an American influence, but then I starting hearing English speakers from the UK (e.g. Northern English, Scottish, maybe some Londoners?) using it as well – and even in older TV/movies. I guess it's more widespread than we knew/"noo"🙃

Weak on crime but strong on sin.

On the other hand, I learned somewhere that it's thanks to Aussie soaps that people in the UK now refer to university as "uni". The word was never used before then. I think we can agree that this is a useful contribution to the English language.

!? Maybe they were French 😉 (How long before we start pronouncing buoy the American way...?)

A lot of Americanisms have crept into Australian English in recent years and I really don't want to be precious or too pedantic about it, but hearing an Australian-accented newsreader (on the ABC no less) pronounce "route" like "bout" rather than "boot" – arghhhhh

There's a real joy in seeing your city on screen | Katie Cunningham I’m less interested in the sweeping shots of Bondi beach or the Sydney Opera House than I am in the sights that feel everyday

There are so many obvious ones for Syd (e.g. Muriel's Wedding, Strictly Ballroom, Lantana). Then there are less obvious ones like Babyteeth (I read this review when it came out and it's v apt for this conversation – www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...)